Precision Air Extends Wings to DRC, Zambia

Precision Air will extend its wings to Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo through Lusaka Zambia starting mid next month.

The airline will fly the new route using its newly leased Boeing 737-300 which is currently in Nairobi receiving final touches before arriving in Dar es Salaam to embark on its new assignment.

The Precision Air managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Alfonse Kioko told the 'Daily News' that given the trade link among Dar, Lusaka and Lubumbashi the route is ideal and commercially viable for the Tanzanian carrier.

"We don't at the moment (as the national) have the direct flight to Lubumbashi and Lusaka... (and) we want to end that as the routes are viable," Mr Kioko said.

The airline said it will fly three times a week beginning May 18. The route was served by Zambezi Airlines, a private owned airline, which was grounded since last year for safety concern and debt management issues before it could retake to the skies.

The CEO said the airline master plan is to fly more regional routes but in phases starting with the Lusaka and Lubumbashi.

He said in the third quarter the airline will introduce Harare, Zimbabwe into its docket.

Mr Kioko

"We want to combine Malawi and Harare, but at the moment we have dropped the former destination as things in the ground are not favourable," Mr Kioko said over the phone on Tuesday.

He added: "Angola is next... and we will fly there before this year ends--probably in November." Precision Air, currently flying the youngest fleet in Africa, has ordered five new ATRs dash 600 versions and the first delivery of two aircraft is expected to be between October and November this year, two in next year and one in the year after.

The airline was listed at Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) to raise fund to enable it's regional and international expansion.

The listing changed the ownership to Tanzanians 58 per cent, Kenya Airways 41 per cent and one per cent to other nationals, with the anchor share holders, being Kenya Airways and Mr Mike Shirima--the founder and chair of the airline.